Men in Green produced all-round performance to clinch five-wicket victory over Australia in opening ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, successfully chasing 201 with 45 balls to spare in a confident start to the three-match series.
Debutant Arafat Minhas delivered magical five-wicket haul to dismantle Australia’s batting order, setting the tone for Pakistan’s dominance. His disciplined and attacking spell of 5 for 32 in 10 overs proved decisive as Australia were bowled out for 200 in 44.1 overs.
Pakistan cruise to a five-wicket victory 🏏
A 127-run stand between Ghazi and Babar laid the foundation for the successful chase 👏
➡️ Download #PCBLIVE app now 📲
Google Play Store: https://t.co/5mBlUco8iI
Apple App Store: https://t.co/RpeYQPrJxJ
Watch Live:… pic.twitter.com/JSXkqIZJII— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 30, 2026
After opting to field first, Pakistan saw early rewards when Abrar Ahmed removed Alex Carey for 19 following a steady opening stand of 34 between Carey and Matthew Short. Australia then attempted to rebuild through Short and Josh Inglis, but Minhas quickly shifted the momentum in Pakistan’s favour.
The debutant struck in quick succession, dismissing Inglis for 13, removing Marnus Labuschagne for a duck, and accounting for Cameron Green, reducing Australia to 68 for 4. Although Short (55) and Matt Renshaw (61) offered resistance and ensured Australia reached 200, Minhas returned to remove Short and finish as the standout performer. Abrar Ahmed supported effectively with two wickets, while Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Salman Ali Agha contributed one wicket each in a disciplined bowling effort.
In response, Pakistan began cautiously, losing Maaz Sadaqat early for 8, followed by Sahibzada Farhan, who scored 28 off 33 balls after a brief 24-run stand with Babar Azam. From there, Pakistan steadied and then took control through a composed and decisive partnership between Babar Azam and Ghazi Ghori.
The pair added 127 runs for the third wicket, blending controlled strike rotation with timely boundary hitting to keep Pakistan firmly ahead of the required rate. Babar anchored the innings with a fluent 69 off 94 deliveries, including four boundaries and a six, before falling to Nathan Ellis in the 39th over.
Ellis struck again shortly after, dismissing Ghazi Ghori for an assured 65 off 92 balls, an innings featuring eight well-timed fours. A brief setback followed when Salman Ali Agha was dismissed for 6, but Pakistan remained comfortably in control of the chase.
Fittingly, debutant Arafat Minhas capped off an outstanding all-round performance by striking a six and finishing unbeaten on 18 off 17 balls to complete the victory in style.
Nathan Ellis led Australia’s bowling effort with 2 for 45, while Tanveer Sangha, Marnus Labuschagne, and Matthew Kuhnemann picked up a wicket each. Despite moments of resistance, Australia were unable to build sustained partnerships against a disciplined Pakistan attack.
Overall, Pakistan’s performance reflected growing depth and balance, highlighted by Minhas’ breakthrough debut, Babar Azam’s assured leadership at the crease, and Ghazi Ghori’s composed support. The result provides a strong and positive start to the series, with encouraging signs for the matches ahead.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium brings a new Pakistani cricket star as Arafat Minhas announced himself on the international stage in explosive fashion, ripping apart the Australia national cricket team with a sensational five-wicket haul that powered Pakistan national cricket team into complete dominance in the opening ODI of the three-match series.
Shaheen Afridi made bold call to bowl first, and it turned into instant gold as Australia were restricted to 200 in 44.1 overs, despite fighting half-centuries from Matthew Short and Matt Renshaw.
🚨 FIRST PAKISTAN BOWLER TO TAKE A FIFER ON ODI DEBUT ✨
Sensational performance from Arafat Minhas 🫡
➡️ Download #PCBLIVE app now 📲
Google Play Store: https://t.co/5mBlUco8iI
Apple App Store: https://t.co/RpeYQPrJxJ
Watch Live: https://t.co/M8wsOD7QwZ#PAKvAUS |… pic.twitter.com/ugknov8Vqf— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 30, 2026
Australia began with cautious intent, as Alex Carey and Short stitched together a 34-run opening stand. But momentum shifted quickly when Abrar Ahmed struck in the seventh over, removing Carey and opening the floodgates.
What followed was absolute destruction. Minhas ignited the stadium with a fiery spell of pure aggression and control—first sending back captain Josh Inglis for 13 in the 14th over, then striking again in the same over to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne for a duck. Without giving Australia any breathing space, he returned in his next over to remove Cameron Green, leaving the visitors reeling at 68 for 4 in complete shock.
Matthew Short tried to resist the collapse, first with Inglis and later alongside Matt Renshaw, as the pair added a crucial 55-run partnership. Short brought up his fourth ODI fifty, scoring a fighting 55 off 76 balls with six boundaries, but Minhas returned once again to end his resistance and claim another key breakthrough.
At the other end, Matt Renshaw stood firm, producing a composed 61 off 63 deliveries with five fours and a six. He attempted to rebuild with Oliver Peake (7) and Matthew Kuhnemann (24), but his innings ended in the 39th over when Abrar Ahmed struck again.
From there, Australia’s innings completely collapsed. The lower order had no answers as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf ripped through the tail with ruthless pace and precision.
When the dust settled, Minhas stood tall with dream figures of 5 for 32 in 10 overs, finishing as the undisputed star of the innings. Abrar supported brilliantly with two wickets, while Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf each chipped in with a wicket as Australia were bundled out far below par.
A sensational debut. A collapsing Australia. And a new star born under the Rawalpindi lights—Arafat Minhas has arrived in style.
Men in Green fielded blend of experience and youth. Salman Ali Agha featured as vice-captain, while the squad included established names such as Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf. The hosts also backed emerging talent with Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, and Sufiyan Muqeem included in the setup. Behind the stumps, Pakistan had multiple wicketkeeping options in Rohail Nazir and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
Australia, captained by Josh Inglis, arrived with a strong and balanced XI featuring Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, and Adam Zampa. They were further supported by Nathan Ellis, Matthew Short, and others, forming a well-rounded side despite limited recent ODI exposure.
The contest carries added weight given the historical rivalry. The two teams have met 111 times in ODIs, with Australia leading the head-to-head 71–36, alongside three no results and one tie.
